EQUALITY ACTION NOW ACTION ALERT – PLEASE PASS THIS ON!

Equality Action NOW Announces, “March Forth on March 4th” Vigil

Sacramento, CA – February 27, 2009 – EqualityActionNOW.org the Sacramento based civil rights organization is joining with Marriage Equality USA and Join the Impact to host “March Forth on March 4th” Vigil the evening of March 4th, 2009 on the West Steps of the California State Capitol Building beginning at 5:00 p.m. At 6:00 P.M. participants will march from the Capitol Building to the California Supreme Court Building (914 Capitol Mall) for a short program and open mike where everyone will have a chance to express their reasons why Prop 8 should be overturned.

This event will call attention to the fact that the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Thursday, March 5, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p..m., in three cases challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8, a statewide ballot initiative that was passed by a majority of California voters in November 2008.

The oral argument session will be held in the Supreme Court’s Courtroom, Earl Warren Center, Fourth Floor, 350 McAllister Street, San Francisco, as part of the court’s regular monthly calendar session in March 2009.

In the cases before the court, the court has issued an order listing the following three issues to be briefed and argued:

(1) Is Proposition 8 invalid because it constitutes a revision of, rather than an amendment to, the California Constitution?
(2) Does Proposition 8 violate the separation of powers doctrine under the California Constitution?
(3) If Proposition 8 is not unconstitutional, what is its effect, if any, on the marriages of same-sex couples performed before the adoption of Proposition 8?
The three cases before the court were filed directly in the California Supreme Court on November 5, 2008, the day following the voters’ approval of Proposition 8 at the November 4, 2008 election.

Equality Action NOW leadership and members believes the civil rights of all citizens of California is at risk and could open the flood-gates to future challenges, which is why they are inviting everyone, including other minorities, religious organizations, union members, and elected officials to join them to March Forth on March 4th and support the overturning of Prop 8.

Participants are asked to bring your signs and battery-powered candles or flashlights since burning candles are not allowed on the Capitol grounds. Organizers are asking people to gather at the West Steps of Capitol from 5-6 pm for a pre-march rally then step off at 6 pm and arrive at the California Supreme Court (914 Capitol Mall) at 6:30 pm for short program and open mike. Equality Action NOW will have donation buckets and lots of activist swag for purchase to help support the cause. This will not be a silent vigil – come let your voice be heard! – See you there.

For more information contact Equality Action NOW at http://www.equalityactionnow.org or 916.446.1082. Also, Ken Pierce at kpierce8272@yahoo.com.

Ken Pierce
Director of Public Relations
EqualityActionNOW.org